Iowa Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Iowa fell 0.0 percentage points in January 2020 to 2.8%. The state unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Iowa peaked in May 2009 at 6.6% and is now 3.8 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.5% in July 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.3 percentage points. You can also see Iowa unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.6%	+0.1	-0.4
Iowa	2.8%	0.0	+0.1

Note: All comparisons are made with January data as February state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Iowa, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Iowa Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Iowa peaked in June 2009 at 111,837. There are now 62,289 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 42,454 in August 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 7,094. Iowa job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
Iowa	49,548	+210	+3,975

Number of Unemployed Persons

Iowa Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Iowa Unemployment Rate	Iowa Unemployed
February 2020	3.5%	—	—
January 2020	3.6%	2.8%	49,548
December 2019	3.5%	2.8%	49,338
November 2019	3.5%	2.8%	49,397
October 2019	3.6%	2.8%	49,307
September 2019	3.5%	2.8%	48,741
August 2019	3.7%	2.8%	48,057
July 2019	3.7%	2.7%	47,543
June 2019	3.7%	2.7%	47,240
May 2019	3.6%	2.7%	47,144
April 2019	3.6%	2.7%	47,044
March 2019	3.8%	2.7%	46,757